First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides
Financial planner · Knoxville, TN · reviewed since 2022
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%98+25.6Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 99Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.99SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#5 of 34 financial plannersiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 88%
5.0★★★★★50 Google reviews · 1 photos
100%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides at a glance
Google reviewers rate this financial planner five stars based on fifty reviews, noting that the owner responds to all feedback. Clients describe services including retirement planning, investment management, and annual reviews, highlighting clear communication, punctuality, and personalized strategies. A recurring theme is the advisor's military background, which helps service members understand specific financial needs and benefits. No common criticisms appear in the provided excerpts.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 50 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 50 Google reviews (48 with written comments).
Owner responses: the business replied to 100% of reviews.
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: reliability.
This companyFinancial Planners median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
99
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides: 98/100 on this factor. Category median: 97.A
98
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 100.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 58.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
50 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars50100%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 48 written reviews
100%praise
Praise86100%
Complaints00%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price6100%
Reasonable00%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude2731%
Would recommend2428%
Communication1517%
Honesty & trust910%
Quality & results78%
Speed & response33%
Price & value11%
What customers talk about
We read 48 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Thomas was extremely helpful and easy to work with.”
“I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a financial advisor!”
“I especially appreciated that he listened to what I wanted to accomplish and helped me feel more confident about the direction I was taking.”
“He’s incredibly organized, dependable, and clearly passionate about helping his clients reach their goals.”
“I really appreciated how attentive and thorough he was throughout the entire experience.”
“From the beginning, he was friendly, responsive, and made the entire process feel straightforward.”
“Go see Tom, it'll be worth it.”
People customers mention
Tom7 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired First Command Financial Advisor - Thomas Benavides for 4 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
Lee1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Thomas was extremely helpful and easy to work with. He answered all of my questions and made everything feel simple and stress-free. I’d absolutely recommend him!
Jordie1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Thomas made a great impression from the start. He’s incredibly organized, dependable, and clearly passionate about helping his clients reach their goals. What stood out most was how comfortable and relaxed the conversations felt while still being productive and informative. I walked away feeling like I had a much…
Hannah3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
I had a really positive experience working with Thomas. From the beginning, he was friendly, responsive, and made the entire process feel straightforward. I especially appreciated that he listened to what I wanted to accomplish and helped me feel more confident about the direction I was taking. It’s refreshing to…
Sarah5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Thomas is great at what he does. He’s approachable, easy to talk to, and makes you feel comfortable asking questions without ever making things more complicated than they need to be. You can tell he really takes the time to understand what you’re looking for instead of giving everyone the same advice. I really…
Danie6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Thomas was wonderful to work with! He was very knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to explain everything in a way that was actually easy to understand. I never felt rushed or pressured, and he made the whole process feel much less overwhelming. He was professional, personable, and genuinely seemed to care…
Sophia3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Tom really helped me turn my life around and he’s such a great person. 10/10 would always recommend!
Thomas was extremely helpful and easy to work with. He answered all of my questions and made everything feel simple and stress-free. I’d absolutely recommend him!
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
We appreciate you sharing your experience Lee Nueve. Coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security is at the heart of our Mission and working with Clients like you is what makes that work meaningful.
Jordie Yang1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Jordie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thomas made a great impression from the start. He’s incredibly organized, dependable, and clearly passionate about helping his clients reach their goals. What stood out most was how comfortable and relaxed the conversations felt while still being productive and informative. I walked away feeling like I had a much better handle on my financial goals and what steps to take next. Great experience all around!
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for sharing your experience Jordie Yang. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and support you as you pursue your financial goals.
Hannah Jack3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Hannah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I had a really positive experience working with Thomas. From the beginning, he was friendly, responsive, and made the entire process feel straightforward. I especially appreciated that he listened to what I wanted to accomplish and helped me feel more confident about the direction I was taking. It’s refreshing to work with someone who is both professional and down to earth. I’d happily recommend him to others.
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Thank you for sharing your experience Hannah Jack. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and support you as you pursue your financial goals.
Sarah Smith5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sarah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thomas is great at what he does. He’s approachable, easy to talk to, and makes you feel comfortable asking questions without ever making things more complicated than they need to be. You can tell he really takes the time to understand what you’re looking for instead of giving everyone the same advice. I really appreciated how attentive and thorough he was throughout the entire experience. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Hi Sarah Smith, thank you for sharing your experience. It’s important to us to make a difference for the families we work with, and we appreciate the trust you place in our office.
Danie Tafner6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Danie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thomas was wonderful to work with! He was very knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to explain everything in a way that was actually easy to understand. I never felt rushed or pressured, and he made the whole process feel much less overwhelming. He was professional, personable, and genuinely seemed to care about helping me make the best decisions for my future. I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a financial advisor!
Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago
Hi Danie Tafner, thank you for taking the time to share your review. Our Mission of coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security is something we take great pride in, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference for you and your family.
Sophia Torgrimson3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Sophia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Tom really helped me turn my life around and he’s such a great person. 10/10 would always recommend!
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Financial plan
Response from the owner · 2 months ago
Hi Sophia Torgrimson, thank you for sharing your experience. It’s important to us to make a difference for the families we work with, and we appreciate the trust you place in our office.
Alexandria2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alexandria has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Tom is literally the best Financial advisor out there. He really knows his stuff and cares a lot about his clients. Incredibly thankful for him and all that he does! 10/10 would recommend
Response from the owner · 4 months ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. Great clients like you inspire us to continue our mission of coaching those who serve in their pursuit of financial security.
Bri MontyLocal Guide · 25 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Bri has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I can’t say enough great things about working with Tom. He truly goes above and beyond in every aspect of what he does. From the very beginning, he took the time to really understand my goals, explain my options clearly, and make sure I felt confident in every decision.
What sets Tom apart is how proactive and attentive he is… he’s always looking out for my best interests, thinking ahead, and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. He doesn’t just give advice and disappear, he follows through, checks in, and makes himself available whenever I have questions.
On top of that, he has a way of making complex financial topics feel simple and manageable, which I really appreciate. I feel like I have someone in my corner who genuinely cares, not just about my finances, but about my long term success.
If you’re looking for a financial advisor who is knowledgeable, responsive, and truly dedicated, Tom is the one.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Financial plan
Response from the owner · 6 months ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. At First Command, we strive to put our clients' interests ahead of our own and provide a memorable client experience. Let us know if there is anything further we can do to serve you.
S A Hawks5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews S has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Thomas is an outstanding advisor and seasoned professional. He is always on point and well-researched for our meetings. If I had to use one word to describe him it would be “honorable “. I have nothing but praise for his assistance and consider him a friend as well as an advisor.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Financial plan
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you for your review. We are committed to bringing value to our client families. Let us know if there is anything further we can do to serve you.
Katrina Helcoski12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Katrina has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Tom is such a relatable person; you can tell he really cares about you. He is extremely professional and truly knows his work. He explained everything to me step by step so I felt comfortable. I would HIGHLY recommend him :)
Response from the owner · 7 months ago
Thank you for your thoughtful review. As a mission-driven organization serving those who serve our country, nothing makes us prouder than making a difference in the lives of our client families.
